Newborn Bedside Cot

A newborn bedside cot is a compact sleeper that allows new babies to share a room as their parents without the risks of true co-sleeping (which the AAP recommends against due to suffocation and SIDS). It makes it easier to care for your infant and feed them during the night.

This mattress is a firm mattress that is designed to support babies' backs and reduce the chance of SIDS. It can slide over your adult bed to make it easier for you to carry your child out for midnight cuddles or a sunrise kiss.

Budget

A bedside co sleeper cot, also known as a co-sleeper, an infant cot with a bassinet design that can be attached to your existing bed. This allows you to reach your baby easily and safely for a nighttime feed or comforting cuddle. They are a great option for new parents or mums recovering from a c-section because they offer the baby with easy access and don't require you to get up from your bed.

There are a variety of styles available, from the basic ones that have an upside-down side to more sophisticated ones with various adjustment options, such as the ability to tilt or raise. The majority of them can be converted into a standalone crib for napping during the daytime or when your baby is a few months old and sleeps longer at night.

One of our favorites is the Maxi-Cosi Lora, which was nominated for the 2021 Mother&Baby awards for Best Cot Crib, Best Cot, or Moses Basket. MFM home tester Emily commented how stylish and modern the design was. She also appreciated the fact that it could be used as a bassinet or clipped to your existing bed, to ensure safe side-by-side sleeping. She also appreciated the soft mattress, which was able to pass our test of firmness, and the fact that it comes with a manual rocking feature that can be set to a slight tilt for those suffering from reflux.

However, she didn't like the design of the non-mesh panel on the lower end, and thought it was a bit bulky to move from room room frequently. She also found it to be a bit heavy to carry up and down the stairs, especially when folded away into its travel cot bedside crib bag.

Size

A bedside cot is basically an upholstered bassinet that is fixed to the side of your bed. It allows you to easily reach your baby during the night for feeding nappies, comforting and feeding. It's also great for mothers recovering from C-sections.

The NHS and Lullaby Trust recommend that you keep your baby separate from you for the first six month, to reduce the risk of SIDS. The crib that is placed beside your bed with its low sides is a great option to do this. It lets you be able to easily access your baby throughout the night.

It is essential that your baby is sleeping on a firm, not an extremely soft mattress. Newborns don't have the motor control needed to turn and a mattress that is soft can increase the chance of suffocation. The breathable fabric and skin-friendly materials make this mattress comfortable for your baby but sufficient to ensure safety.

Mum home test Jasmin liked that this crib does not take up a lot of space in her bedroom. Also, she found it to be the perfect size for a baby. She said the mattress was also of good quality, as opposed to others that feel thin and thin. She also appreciates that it has a storage area beneath for bedding and clothes which other bassinets do not have.

Mehack is an MFM mum who tested the product at home, likes that you can take off the side wall to allow for easier access to your baby. She also likes that the legs tuck under the bed so it doesn't look bulky or take up too much floor space. She's also amazed by how it was easy to move around her home when she needed to for check-ins and feedings in the middle of the night.

The winner of the Gold award in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards, the CoZee Air is a popular choice amongst parents. It has a clever design with four pulleys built-in to raise or lower the crib. It also comes with a large storage bin to store your baby's blankets, toys and other necessities. It is also light and easy to put together and is ideal for travel with your baby.

Safety

It is important to think about the safety of the crib for your newborn. The Lullaby Trust, as well as the NHS, recommend that babies not sleep in their parents bed because of the risk of suffocation as well as sudden infant death syndrome. Bassinets for bedside use allow parents to keep their babies close to them, facilitating nighttime feedings as well as monitoring without needing to leave their bed.

This close proximity also helps breastfeeding mothers as they can attend to the needs of their infant without having to wake up completely and help maintain milk supply and support the breastfeeding experience. Some bedside cots come with adjustable height options that can help mother and child to access the bassinet for feedings or other activities at night.

Many bassinets come with mattresses that are firm, which is designed to minimize the risk of suffocation, and also meets industry standards. It is crucial to provide support for the bones of a newborn, as they are still soft and are not fully formed. The mattress should be encased in a fitted cover to reduce the risk of suffocation from dust mites and other allergens and kept hygienically clean and free of allergens.

Some cots for bedside use have the capability of being tilted, which can be useful for babies with reflux or digestive issues, but this should be done with great caution and at a gentle angle. It is also essential to stay clear of adding pillows, duvets, or padded crib bumpers to the bassinet as they can create an obstructing risk to your baby. They should only be used when the cot is placed on an even surface.

You should also think about the bassinet with a secure attachment system. It can be connected to your bed without the need for tools. This feature is especially beneficial for parents who struggle to carry their child into and out of the crib or are concerned about their child rolling over while sleeping. If your bassinet has a secure attachment it is a good idea to check it frequently. Make sure there aren't any gaps and that the system is securely connected.

Comfort

If you're planning to become a parent, your baby's safety is one of your main concerns. Thankfully, there's an innovative sleep solution that allows you to keep your baby close to you throughout the night without taking on any of the risks associated with sharing beds. The newborn bedside crib and travel cot crib is a bassinet style cot that is attached to the side of the bed. It lets you safely lift your baby out to you for feedings at night and soothing. It's also a great option for mothers recovering from a C-section as it removes the need to stand up or to bend over.

Modern bedside cots for newborns should include a firm, flat mattress to encourage safe sleeping habits and lower the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. The bedding should be simple, with just a cot sheet and a blanket tightly tucked at the bottom. Avoid toys, bumpers or pillows because they can fall on your baby and cause suffocation hazard. If your baby is used to being swaddled, you can use a swaddle or a baby sleep bag for the first few weeks, however this should be removed as soon as you can once they've gained the strength and confidence to pull themselves out of the wrap.

Some bedside cribs feature a removable or drop-down side that allows for the baby to be easily accessible to feed and comfort them in the middle of the night. This feature is ideal for parents who wish to maintain a close bond with their child, while still following NHS sleep guidelines. If you're considering sleeping in the same bed as your child it's important to recognize that this practice has been linked to a higher risk of SIDS, particularly if a parent unintentionally rolls onto their infant while they sleep.

A breathable fabric is another essential safety feature, as it's designed to keep your baby cool and comfortable throughout the night. This is especially crucial if you intend to co-sleep with your newborn because the risk of overheating increases during sleep. The SnuzPod4 features a unique breathable mesh side panel that aids in improving airflow and keep your baby snug in their bed.